About USD
- Mission and Vision
- History
- Catholic Identity
- USD Facts
- Administration
- Strategic Initiatives
- More About USD…
Founded in 1949 in the heart of San Diego, USD has grown to become a premier institution dedicated to providing academic excellence, Catholic intellectual and social traditions, and a top-notch liberal arts education for scholars of all faiths. USD is committed to the intellectual, spiritual, and overall development of its student body.

USD’s mission captures the values that have made it a prominent Catholic university, a vibrant institution of quality higher education, and an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus.
Academics
A USD education combines the vibrancy of the liberal arts with academic rigor in a supportive learning community. USD offers a wide variety of majors and specializations, allowing students to pursue their passions. Faculty members are distinguished scholars and devoted teachers who promote an interactive learning environment.

Faculty collaborate one-on-one with undergraduate and graduate students on research, scholarship and creative activity, allowing students to experience the excitement of original discovery.
Admissions
- Undergraduate
- Graduate
- School of Law
- Summer and Intersession
- Financial Aid
- Tuition and Fees
- More Admissions…
USD’s emphasis on academic excellence, intellectual rigor and global citizenship showcases our commitment to each student. USD offers the intellectual environment that will inspire you to begin shaping your future. By becoming a Torero, you are becoming part of the more than 60-year-long history of dedicated Changemakers.

Our students strive for academic excellence and take great pride in serving their communities. At USD, students learn to think critically, act globally and work collaboratively to achieve their full potential.
Experience
- Torero Life
- Housing and Residential Life
- Dining and Cafés
- Sports & Recreation
- University Ministry
- Diversity
- More Experience…
USD offers students endless opportunities to connect with the campus, the community, and each other. With nearly 200 clubs and organizations, countless sports and residence hall activities, guest lectures, community service opportunities and wellness programs, Toreros have every resource necessary to maximize their USD experience.

USD has an active, thriving campus community. In addition to its sublime setting — enhanced by an average 300 days of sunshine each year — USD offers students an abundance of academic programs, facilities and resources.
Directory
- People
- Offices & Departments
- Site Index
- Social Networking
- More Directory…
Even to the casual eye, it's apparent that the campus runs like a well-oiled machine, in large part due to our hard working team members, all dedicated to making sure that the USD student experience is reflective of the distinctive quality that the university is known for.

More than 1500 full-time and 750 part-time employees worked at USD in 2011, in capacities ranging from faculty to food service to administration to groundskeeper.
Gateways
- Prospective Students
- Current Students
- Faculty
- Staff
- Parents
- Alumni
- Visitors
- Athletics
The USD community is comprised of many diverse individuals. To assist with the various aspects of personal and professional development, the university provides various offices, programs and services. Gateways provides links to some of the areas that might be of interest to you.

From the moment you step on our beautiful campus you can see that USD is exceptional.

2012-2013 Graduate Academic Calendar

Fall Semester 2012

August 2012
29	Wed.	Final Registration/Fee Payment without penalty
30	Thurs.	Late charges begin

September 2012
3	Mon.	Labor Day holiday (no classes; offices closed)
5	Wed.	Classes begin
13	Thurs.	Mass of the Holy Spirit
14	Fri.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class without a 'W' Deadline 100 percent tuition refund
21	Fri.	Deadline 90 percent tuition refund
28	Fri.	Deadline 80 percent tuition refund

October 2012
1	Mon.	Financial aid application for January Intersession available
1-30	Mon.- Fri.	Online class reservation for Intersession 2013
5	Fri.	Deadline 70 percent tuition refund
15	Mon.	Deadline to petition for May 2013 graduation
19	Fri.	Fall Holiday (no classes)
22	Mon.	Deadline 60 percent tuition refund
26	Fri.	Mid-term grades due
29	Mon.	Deadline 50 percent tuition refund

November 2012
1	Thurs.	Class reservation begins for Spring 2013 Walk-in registration begins for Intersession 2013 Priority deadine for Intersession 2013 financial aid applications
13	Tues.	Last day to withdraw from classes with a "W" Deadline for removal of Incompletes from prior semester/Summer Sessions
16	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Intersession 2013 online registration
21-23	Wed.- Fri.	Thanksgiving Holiday (no classes; offices closed Thursday, November 24 - Friday, November 25)
30	Fri.	Deadline for completion of dissertation defense for Fall and Intersession graduation (PhD, EdD)

December 2012
14	Fri.	Last day of classes. Last day to petition for August 2013 graduation. Completed dissertations and all fee and forms due in the Registrar's Office for January 2013 graduation (PhD, EdD). Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due in Registrar's Office for January 2013 graduation.
17-21	Mon.- Fri.	Final Examinations

January 2013
2	Wed.	Final grades due

Intersession 2013 (Optional)

January 2013
3	Thurs.	First day of Intersession classes
21	Mon.	Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday (no classes; offices closed)
23	Wed.	Last day of Intersession classes

Spring Semester 2013

January 2013
25	Fri.	Final registration/fee payment without penalty
26	Sat.	Late charges begin
28	Mon.	Classes begin
31	Thurs.	All Faith Service

February 2013
1	Fri.	Financial aid applications for Summer Sessions 2013 available
6	Wed.	Last day to enroll in classes and to drop a class without a 'W' Deadline 100 percent tuition refund
18	Mon.	Deadline 90 percent tuition refund
25	Mon.	Deadline 80 percent tuition refund

March 2013
4	Mon.	Deadline 70 percent tuition refund
4-29	Mon.- Fri.	Online class reservation for Summer Sessions 2013
15	Fri.	Priority deadline for Summer Sessions 2013 financial aid applications
18	Mon.	Deadline 60 percent tuition refund
20	Wed.	Mid-term grades due
25- April 1	Mon.- Mon.	Combined Spring Break/Easter Holiday (no classes; offices closed on Friday, March 29)

April 2013
1	Mon.	Deadline 50 percent tuition refund Priority deadline for Fall 2013/Spring 2014 financial aid application
2	Tues.	Class reservation begins for Fall 2013 Walk-in registration begins for Summer Sessions 2013
5	Fri.	Last day to withdraw from classes. Deadline for removal of Incomplete from prior semester/Intersession 2013.
12	Fri.	Final fee payment deadline for Summer Sessions 2013 online registration
29	Mon.	Deadline for completition of dissertation defense for May 2013 graduation (PhD, EdD)

May 2013
13	Mon.	Last day of classes. Last day to petition for January 2014 graduation. Completed dissertations and all fees and forms due in Registrar's Office for May 2013 graduation (PhD, EdD). Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due in Registrar's Office for May 2013 graduation.
16-22	Thurs.- Wed.	Final Examinations
25-26	Sat.- Sun.	Commencements
29	Wed.	Final grades due

Summer Sessions 2013 (Optional)

June 2013
3	Mon.	First day of Summer sessions

July 2013
26	Fri.	Deadline for completion of dissertation defense for August 2013 graduation (PhD, EdD)

August 2013
9	Fri.	Completed dissertations and all fee and forms due in Registrar's Office for August 2013 graduation (PhD, EdD). Two bound copies of completed Master's thesis due in Registrar's Office for August 2013 graduation.
23	Fri.	Last day of Summer sessions